A fun-filled event intent on bringing friends, family, and community together for the New Year! Proceeds going to Dropping the Carp Fund and City Park and Recreation Youth Enrichment/Hoffman Hall Activities.

Photographs 2011

Catching Lucky the Carp.
It would be quite a thrill to catch Lucky, a giant carp that will be lowered from a boom in Prairie du Chien on New Year's Eve. Thanks to Mike Valley, lifelong commercial fisherman and the owner of Valley Fish & Cheese in Prairie du Chien, three people will get to accompany him on Sunday, December 11, when he goes out on the Mississippi River with a 400 foot gill net to snare this year's honored fish. (More...)

News Articles from Around the World!
Well, around the world may be a bit of an exaggeration. But, you get the idea! (Link to 2011 Album)





Lucky the Carp Coloring Contest


New for 2011. The Carp Coloring Contest began on December 12 and lasts through the 20th Age group divisions: 6 and under, 7-11 year olds and 12-17 year olds Winners announced December 21st. Top 3 age group winners receive award, picture in paper and multiple web pages! All pictures displayed at Hoffman Hall during Carp Fest! (Link to 2011 online album)

Bowling at Timber Lanes Bar and Grill

BOWLING PARTY at Timber Lanes Sports Bar and Grill is always a fun event for kids of all ages. Great family fun. (Link to 2011 online album)


Hoffman Hall Basketball


Hoffman Hall gymnasium attracts kids and adults as well. Hoops provides an excellent activity to chase away the winter doldrums. Youth triathlon was also featured for those who wished to participate.  (See album here.)



Hoffman Hall – Pool Activities
Week long activities included open swimming, adult lap swim, swim lessons, and kayaking. A fun time could be had by all. (See 2011 album here.)


Hoffman Hall – Carp Fest Run/Walk
Participants ran or walked along a new 3.5 mile course. The weather, which was foggy, and cool, brought out five runners and two walkers. All enjoyed the morning exercise. (View online 2011 album)

Hoffman Hall – Kayaking
Week long activities included open swimming, adult lap swim, swim lessons, and kayaking. A fun time could be had by all. (See 2011 album here.)


Hoffman Hall – Jamming
Hoffman Hall was the stage for musical groups jamming and making music to being in the New Year. (See 2011 Album here.)




Football game between Prairie du Chien and Mar-Mac Fire Depts.
The touch football game between Prairie du Chien and Mar-Mac Fire Departments always brings out the good sportsmanship and camaraderie. The game is sponsored by Go America of Marquette, IA. (See 2011 photos here.)
Dropping of the Carp – Preparations
Preparations began by a work crew on a dreary, rainy, sleeting, snowy, blustery day. The day before brought sunny moderate weather. What a change!  (View 2011 album here.)

This is it! Dropping of the Carp.
This is it! Meet the party goers. See who kissed Lucky the Carp for a years worth of good luck. See the first Carp Fest Page. Meet the newly crowned Carp Fest King and Queen – Tom and Kathy Nelson. (View 2011 Album)

Meet 'Lucky' the Carp

The first annual Droppin' of the Carp was held in 2002. after two local residents spent the year before in Savannah, Ga.. Where they lowered a giant styrophoam peach. "We decided we could have some sort of New Year's celebration here in the Midwest," Tom Nelson, one of the founders, said. "Since New York took the ball idea, a carp was the next local choice. Being on the river, it had to be a fish." The first year, a three foot carp was named Lucky after learning that Chinese people believe that eating Carp on New Years was lucky. Mike Valley, a local business man and owner of Valley Fish Market said, "Everybody always kisses it for good luck."

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